I don't know why some people have got so wound up over the name of the train. Over the years I've been on trips marketed as the ACE - never reached Ilfracombe, Plymouth nor Padstow, the Flying Scotsman - train got nowhere near either London or Edinburgh, The Royal Wessex - train went from Carnforth to Sellafield rather than London to Bournemouth.

Fully agree, the name suggested pullman stock which it wasn't. That was debated, I was one of those who asked for clarification as the picture by WCRC and the name were in conflict as to what the stock might be. To suggest that I, and others, were therefore anti the train running because the coaches were maroon is a load of utter codswallop. I saw BIL stored at Portland in such a very sorry state that it makes the Barry picture above look like it was merely uncleaned and ready to go off shed. She looked fantastic on the 6th and will do so again tomorrow. The cake was iced - it just lacked candles, but I can certainly live without candles and still enjoy the cake!

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The name of the train is nothing to do with WCRC, it would have been chosen by RTC as your promoter

Chalk and cheese. Waterloo to Yeovil (122 miles) was non-stop with water taken only a few miles from the starting point and time in steam between water stops about 3 hours. Today is somewhat different. Only about 70 miles from Victoria but, assuming water wasn't taken en route from Southall, about 6 hours between water stops.

Anyway, let's hope for a good day and there is always a diesel to ease the strain if necessary. Not that it seemed all that active on the previous trip.

BIL checked approaching Winchfield but the assembled crowd were treated to a glorious sound as she accelerated through the station and away to Basingstoke, switching back to the fast just after the station. Will try and get the video up later.